India, EU to talk on situation in Pak, Afghanistan

Security situation in the region, including in Pakistan and Afghanistan and bilateral issues are likely to dominate the meeting between the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.

Security situation in the region, including in Pakistan and Afghanistan and bilateral issues are likely to dominate the meeting between the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna tomorrow.

"The main focus of Catherine Ashton's visit is the EU -India Ministerial meeting in Delhi. The two sides will discuss a wide range of bilateral and global issues including terrorism, piracy, climate, energy, trade and the financial crisis, as well as regional matters, including Afghanistan and Pakistan," a statement from the EU said here today.

Aimed at giving impetus to India-EU relationship, the visit of Ashton, who will be here for four days, will also focus on enhancing economic and security ties as also prepare the 11th EU-India summit later this year.

During her stay here, she will hold talks with Krishna and both sides will discuss "bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest", a release by the External Affairs Ministry said.

She will hold a number of bilateral meetings with key leaders and policymakers, including National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, the EU release added.

The two countries already have a joint working mechanism on counter-terrorism.

The last EU-India annual summit held in November 2009, here attempted to revitalise the EU-India Counter-Terrorism cooperation.

Prior to the summit the visit of the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Gilles de Kerchove, his deliberations with Indian counterparts paved the way for reaffirmation of combating the challenge of international terrorism.

The two sides are also currently engaged in the negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement.

The bilateral trade between the 27-nation bloc and India is estimated to be over USD 50 billion and they are targeting to double it by 2013.